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Topic: Whats going on in Syria? (Read 1303 times)

I understand that its absolutely horrific over there, but does anyone know exactly whats happening to Christians? Who is better for the Christians in Syria... the current govt, or the rebels? It seems that a lot of people (mainly conservatives) in America support the rebels, but my understanding is that the Christians in that region would be worse off with them in power. I could be wrong though. I cancelled cable and dont get any national news anymore. When Ive looked online, I cant find much specifically talking about the well-being of Christians in the region. Fill me in!!! What is the Church's take on all this?

(I wasnt sure where to post this. It maybe should have went in politics. Im sure it will get moved there as this discussion turns more political.)

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Even if we have thousands of acts of great virtue to our credit, our confidence in being heard must be based on God's mercy and His love for men. Even if we stand at the very summit of virtue, it is by mercy that we shall be saved.

All the Syrians I know (and I know more than a few at my parish) support Assad. Not because he's a good guy—he's not, he's a dictator and a brutal one at that—but because he actually worked to protect minorities like Christians and provide a stable society. Assad himself is a minority. His coalition of minority groups keeps him in power.

The rebels are not peace-loving freedom fighters, and I am truly angered that members of our government want to hand out weapons like candy to the rebels. The rebels have bombed Christian monasteries and committed all kinds of violence against Christians. If Assad falls it will be a disaster for the Church of Antioch.

I think that Assad is being set up. Seems to me that American politicians believe all leaders in the middle east are dictators and blood thirsty, and nothing bumps up the polls like giving out good 'ole 'merican freedom

Want to know what is best for Syria? Listen to the Christians.

PP

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"I confidently affirm that whoever calls himself Universal Bishop is the precursor of Antichrist"Gregory the Great

"Never, never, never let anyone tell you that, in order to be Orthodox, you must also be eastern." St. John Maximovitch, The Wonderworker

Thanks everyone. I dont have time to discuss too much now, but recently heard that Romney wanted to help arm the rebels. I just dont understand, largely because I dont know enough about what is going on in the region. If anyone else cares to chime in, ill be back later this evening.

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Even if we have thousands of acts of great virtue to our credit, our confidence in being heard must be based on God's mercy and His love for men. Even if we stand at the very summit of virtue, it is by mercy that we shall be saved.

Some of the Rebels are extremist Muslims. The rebels aren't a monolithic, united organization like the Western Media wants you to believe. There are some rebels who are a part of the larger, better organized rebel force, but there are a lot of rebels out there who are extremist Muslims and probably want to wipe out not just the Alawites, but the Christians & Jews as well.

On the other hand, the Assad regime is also corrupt, and would probably have had no qualms about killing Christians who are "in the way". The Christians in Syria are stuck between a rock & a hard place.

The conflict in Syria, unlike what western media tells us, is definitely sectarian violence between Muslims. It is basically a conflict within Islam more than it is a Syrian political conflict.

On the other hand, the Assad regime is also corrupt, and would probably have had no qualms about killing Christians who are "in the way". The Christians in Syria are stuck between a rock & a hard place.

A year ago Met. Philip sent a delegation of American priests to meet with Assad, as well as Patriarch Ignatius, bishops, and monastics. It sounded pretty universal that the Christians support Assad, because he's depending on them to maintain power with his coalition of minority groups.

Assad is a brutal dictator who rules by fear, sure, but he's not an irrational Islamist idealogue like Iran's leaders. Many of the rebels, are, however, and if they take control the Christian blood will flow. (And if America helps them, the blood of innocent Orthodox Christians will be on America's hands directly.)

Assad is the better of two bad options. He's a dictator, but he is decent to the Christians and seems to have a mutually positive relationship with the Orthodox hierarchy.

I have been thinking the same thing myself. I certainly don't condone Assads regime but facts are facts and the Christians will be in a bad way if the Assad government is wasted. My big question is what happens to the Church of Antioch if Damascus falls?. Does our Patriarch go into exile somewhere? How will this play out for the Antiochian Orthodox here in the U.S. and our brothers and sisters in Syria?

I will say I tend to agree with most of what's posted here. I have no idea why our government would arm and support the very people we have and are fighting on other fronts. Mind boggling! I hurt for the Christians in places like this and am so thankful my family is not subject to this type of environment. I can only imagine how hard it must be for those Christians. Hmm, having a difficult time putting my thoughts into words here on the subject.

Hmm, having a difficult time putting my thoughts into words here on the subject.

As am I, my mind is about to melt down and my heart aches for what is happening. The whole of the Middle East is such a mess and it is the birth place of Christianity !! It is a hard thing to see how much hate there is.

Why is there tension between Syria and Turkey? I have not had time to research the news on that subject.

Syria was part of the Turkish Ottoman Empire before World War I, and it could be the Turks are trying to exert control there again. A lot of the "rebels" are actually foreign fighters, many from Turkey.

Many people at my church are from Syria and they are angry, worried and grief stricken over what is going on over there. They say that under Assad there was freedom of religion and Christians were treated the same as Muslims, something you won't find anywhere else in the Middle East. The rebels are attacking peaceful Christian neighborhoods, taking over, and even destroying, Christian churches and schools. Many Christians are being killed in the fighting, as the rebels are in effect using them as human shields when they take over Christian neighborhoods.

Last Sunday one of the families from Syria at my church had a requiem for one of their relatives who was killed in the violence. It's all very sad.

It really is a different narrative than what you hear on the news. I, too, have a hard time trying to say what Im thinking. I guess I just need to read more about other people's (politicians) opinions on the subject so I can have something to compare it to. There is so much that happening over there (Egypt, Libya, Syria, Isreal/Palestine) that I cant make sense of it all.

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Even if we have thousands of acts of great virtue to our credit, our confidence in being heard must be based on God's mercy and His love for men. Even if we stand at the very summit of virtue, it is by mercy that we shall be saved.

Is it true that Iran is sending arms to Assad because they dont want his regime to fall? Is this why the U.S. sees the need to support the rebels because they see Assad as a friend to Iran?

Its clear that America doesnt really care about the Christians in the region, so are there possibly two different questions here? 1) Whats better for the security of America? 2) Whats better for the Christians and other people in that region?

Im not saying there should be two different questions, but it appears to be the case.

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Even if we have thousands of acts of great virtue to our credit, our confidence in being heard must be based on God's mercy and His love for men. Even if we stand at the very summit of virtue, it is by mercy that we shall be saved.

Is it true that Iran is sending arms to Assad because they dont want his regime to fall? Is this why the U.S. sees the need to support the rebels because they see Assad as a friend to Iran?

Its clear that America doesnt really care about the Christians in the region, so are there possibly two different questions here? 1) Whats better for the security of America? 2) Whats better for the Christians and other people in that region?

Im not saying there should be two different questions, but it appears to be the case.

America is not a Christian state. We cannot expect her to have the best interest of Christians at heart. Russia is far more the friend of the Church both at home and abroad than these united States. And I say that as a person who wants the Russian Federation to vanish from the earth. (And the Empire to be restored, of course. )

It is the old pick the lesser of two evils and in my opinion Assad is the lesser of the two. A multitude of Muslim militias running around that do not have issues killing people of other faiths is bad news.

I have been thinking the same thing myself. I certainly don't condone Assads regime but facts are facts and the Christians will be in a bad way if the Assad government is wasted. My big question is what happens to the Church of Antioch if Damascus falls?. Does our Patriarch go into exile somewhere? How will this play out for the Antiochian Orthodox here in the U.S. and our brothers and sisters in Syria?

Seraphim

Well, the patriarchate moved from Antioch to Damascus before, it may have to move again. I pray not, but who knows?

The relationship between Syria and the Church of Antioch is still not the best (Syria must approve the election of a new patriarch, much like Turkey and Constantinople). But our Church has come through the worst of the Islamic wars, the Ottoman Turks, and we will come through this as well. Somehow.

The biggest thing I fear is a proliferation of captivity mentality in this country, to the detriment of boldness in evangelism and other areas.

"As the firm support of those who hope in Thee firmly, O Lord do Thou confirm the Church which Thou hast established, which Thou hast purchased for Thyself with Thy precious blood."